24
comments:

jon
said...

That sounds like the stupidest thing I've heard of in toilet design. Of course its offensive, but so are the people that run the Sunset Club so its not that surprising. I honestly don't know what I'd do if I walked in there - I don't think I could go.

How awful and sexist. I will never go to the Sunset Club because of this, thanks for letting us know. I wish someone would come in with a hammer one night and smash those things to bits. I thought the Sunset Club was supposed to be classy; guess I thought wrong.

That is not sexy, it's NASTY. All of the trashy people will be in soon to check it out, but they're not the ones who can afford that place. Instead of making something classy and beautiful, they spent money on garbage. And BTW, their drinks are ridiculously small and over priced. I didn't get "class" from the atmosphere of the lounge either.

Get over it people, it's bathroom humor, we guys do sometimes get a kick out of it. Now if it was in the women's bathroom and something was sticking up out of the toilet, then maybe I'd be offended, or not, lol. At any rate, not planning on going to this club anytime soon anyway since the economy sucks so bad I have to stay home and drink Miller Light. Good for you Sarah for having the Observer buy your drinks.

I don't have a problem with it. Sometimes we need the shock in our daily lives. As much credit as they would like to take, there are PLENTY of other examples out there:http://listoftheday.blogspot.com/2007/06/worlds-weirdest-urinals.html

Four years ago on my trip to Berlin they had co-ed bathrooms with glass stall doors and nobody had a problem with that?

Wow. "art"? Well, if art definitively is to the interpretation of the beholder, I guess I can't argue the use of the word. But, please... this is not a "venus de milo" or even a Playboy centerfold. This is an image of a woman upside down with a vagina spread wide to pee into. Thinking outside the box? This is not outside the box; it's putting women back into the box we've fought so hard to get out of.

First of all, its the urinals that are unique, not the toilet. Second you are not pissing into the vagina or on the design in question. The urinals are different...but offensive?!?! If you are a female, you shouldn't be in the men's bathroom. If you are a guy and you are offended...then you are gay. If you are gay you know that many people find the goings on in gay clubs to be offensive. To which you would probably, and rightfully say "leave or get over it". No one is forcing women into the men's bathroom, so women, if you don't want to see it then don't go in. Guys, if you are offended, then what the heck are you doing in a nightclub in the first place? For that matter, what are you doing out in public? It's time The United States of the Offended grows a little thicker skin and gets a little more of a sense of humor.

I cannot believe in this day and age that ANYONE in their right mind would imagine that this disgusting urinal was creative, artistic or humorous. The Sunset Club, owned and recently redecorated by Sonny Gur and Doug and Dawn Smyth (yes, a woman!) wasted thousands on these offensive custom urinals that are evidently the big secret ha-ha of the men’s room. The fact that the sexism is hidden away in the men's bathroom gives it the stench and feel of a old-school boys club joke. I know of several groups that hold their monthly business meetings there and I also have been there on occasion for several women's events...(!!!) I guess the owners have no problem taking our money as women, while secretly laughing at us all the while--over in the bathroom. This is certainly a HUGE tell on how the owners really feel about women in general.

The answer to this one is SO EASY- BOYCOTT!

If you are involved in a group that holds ANY meetings here on a regular basis, I would ask that you forward this information and STRONGLY suggest another venue-while letting the club know exactly why. There are plenty of other better places to go in Charlotte where women are respected.

Addtionally interesting is the fact that The Sunset Club has disabled their website and currently has a redirect up—with no comments allowed. Getting a lot of angry email recently, maybe?

If you would like to send a smail mail letter, or wish to call the owners to tell them how you really feel, here’s that information as well-

Typical uptight people posting on this board. The PC and the prudes are on fire. Lighten up folks. There are plenty of other even more tasteless things out there to be outraged about. If you don't like it, you're probably not the clientele the Sunset Club is going after anyway. It's about time somebody does something edgy in this town.

Indeed, more deep-pocketed knuckle-draggers with building permits, EXACTLY what this city needs. Someone above said boycott. I agree. Will it matter? I'm afraid not. Those pissers are preaching to the choir...

Ok so I am not gay, european, not a devout religous person and very open minded. I lived in Amsterdam for three years. I have seen it all. UNTIL NOW.

I gotta tell you thats the most obscene thing I have ever seen. Its not even remotely nice. I hate the Sunset club anyhow due to the owners being rude. This caps it. If BLOC continue to hold their after hours there then maybe we can name them Business Lowlifes and Classless

Saying a man is "gay" because he finds those urinals offensive is laughable and sad. Sad that someone would say such a thing. That is such a stupid comment I will let it go at that.

Art? That is someone scrambling to defend poor taste. You cannot always use art as a defense when it offends someone. It's as pathetic as using racism every time someone if offended by someone that has a different color skin. It dilutes when racism actually does occur sort of like the boy that cries wolf.

Look, the objects are offensive. Plain and simple. The Club will suffer and that is too bad because there are some nice folks that work there. Young adults that may have no problem with those objects don't spend the kind of money that the Club wants from their clientele and swingers don't get out enough. The businessman/business woman cannot afford to be associated with a club that displays objects like the urinals, (BTW, no comments about the writings in the Ladies Room?).

Re BLOC as they are potentially referred to Business Lowlifes... I attended their event last week. They completely covered up the urinals and had a person assuring no one peaked under the sheets or behind the 'Out of Order' signs. What they do going forward will speak to the feelings of the organization. Don't be quick to judge. They saw the objects, reacted and made the best of a challenging situation. They are not the owners and deserve a little credit. To take shots at them when not knowing the facts seems a little quick to judge. I wish I could say the same for the club owners. They made their beds.

I'm just amazed how many people take interest in urinals...ha ha!!. They are just keeping up with the other large city clubs/lounges. If you have ever been to Vegas, South Beach, L.A., New York, etc. You could easily see some of the same type of decour. This is just the result of Charlotte becoming a big city. Remember this is a bar where drinking goes on. Last I checked they do not serve food. Most bars always have some edgy type of humor. There are enough clubs/bars in Charlotte now if you do not agree with it...then choose another venue. I don't understand the ruffled feathers. It's very comical actually. It's a Bar...not the neighborhood Chili's!!

I agree with the last comment. It's a bar people! Not a neighborhood family restaurant. Geez!! Loosen up! Maybe some of you need to go out on the town more often! Why is she writing an article about toilets anyway?????

OK, so you think we are too PC.....if the "artwork" was sitting in the men's room and was to look at while in the room I wouldn't be so offended, it would be art. But, really to have men pissing on a woman who is in that position is offensive...you do not half to agree but, you cannot tell me I am not offended. They are my feelings and you cannot tell me what and how I should feel. I will not step into a club that has such a low opinion of women.

I remember seeing these Urinals when I worked as a Valet at the Sunset Club through Park Inc. I thought they were the funniest things I had ever seen in my life and so did all the other valets that I worked with. I don't see what the big deals is and why people created such a ruckus about it. It sounds like some of the guys that went in just couldn't keep their mouths shut. And women.. why the hell should you care what the hell a urinal in a MEN'S room looks like?!?!?

Sarah Aarthun is the Observer's pop culture writer. When she's not devouring Entertainment Weekly or writing about local and national celebrities for The 'A' List in the Observer, she can be found at hot spots around town.